USPTO Acting Director Issues First Four Discretionary-Denial Decisions | Firm Alert
On May 16, 2025, USPTO Acting Director Stewart issued her first four discretionary-denial decisions since announcing that the Director will decide whether to discretionarily deny inter partes review and post-grant...
How New U.S. Tariffs Could Reshape Patent Litigation in the Medical Device Industry
As the U.S. imposes sweeping new tariffs on over 180 countries and territories—including a baseline 10% rate and steep increases for China (originally 145%, now reduced to 30% for 90...
Sixteen Knobbe Martens Lawyers Named Among Intellectual Property Leaders by WIPR
IRVINE, Calif., May 19, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that 16 of the firm’s lawyers have been recognized in the World Intellectual Property Review [WIPR] 2025 Leaders...
National Security Startups Attract Record VC Interest as DOD Spending Surges
Venture capital firms (VCs) are increasing investments in national security startups amid a proposed record $1 trillion DOD budget, while also diversifying risk due to concerns over inflated valuations by...
Salima Merani Named Among Women Leaders in Tech Law by The Recorder’s California Legal Awards
IRVINE, Calif., May 13, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that partner Salima Merani, Ph.D. has been named among the “Women Leaders in Tech Law” in The Recorder’s...
Kate McMorrow Profiled in Am Law “How I Made Partner” Series
In a Q+A with Law.com for the publication’s “How I Made Partner” series, partner Kate McMorrow offered her perspective on steps associates can take on their path to partner, the...
Department of Defense Releases a New Intellectual Property Guidebook
The Department of Defense (the “DoD”) recently released a new comprehensive guidebook to help navigate intellectual property laws and regulations. The guidebook states: In today’s global military competition, DoD needs...
Medtech Leaders Speak Out On Impact of Global Tariffs
Some Medtech companies recently addressed the potential impact of global tariffs in their Q1 2025 earnings calls. Johnson & Johnson and Abbott were among the first to speak on the implications...
Fashion’s New Powerhouse: IP Lessons from Prada’s $1.375 Billion Versace Deal
On April 10, 2025, Italian fashion house Prada announced its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for $1.375 billion, uniting two of Italy’s most iconic luxury brands. Though financial implications...
Federal Circuit Review | April 2025
April Federal Circuit Newsletter (Japanese) April Federal Circuit Newsletter (Chinese) Ready or Not, Here I Come: When Is a Trade Secret Publicly Accessible? In Ams-Osram USA Inc. v. Renesas...
German Sandals Follow the Functional Footsteps of U.S. Cheerleader Uniform Shape
In a recent decision, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice held that Birkenstock’s sandal design was not eligible for copyright protection. The court held that Birkenstock sandals did not display sufficient creativity...
Brian Horne Named Among LA’s Top 100 Lawyers by Los Angeles Business Journal
LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that litigation partner Brian Horne has been recognized on Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2025 “Top 100 Lawyers” list....
Space Technology Investment – Go for Launch in 2025?
Investors have recently provided solid funding to the space technology sector, with the trend showing signs of continuing in Q1 2025. The general trend over the last half decade for...
Knobbe Martens Named a Regional Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year at 2025 Managing IP Americas Awards
IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that the firm was awarded “Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year (West)” at the 2025 Managing IP Americas...
U.S. Tariffs and the Medical Device Industry
As of April 24, 2025, the United States has imposed tariffs on over 180 countries and territories. This includes a universal 10% baseline tariff while larger tariffs are in a...
Knobbe Martens Lawyers Explore Open Source AI Software Licensing in Legaltech News Piece
In the Legaltech News article “Open Source Licensing Considerations for Artificial Intelligence Application,” lawyers Vlad Teplitskiy, Damien Howard, and Fatima Kouadio offer guidance to companies considering adopting open source artificial...
Jeremiah Helm and Sean Murray Discuss Forfeiting Claim Construction on Appeal in Law360 Column
In the latest installment of their Law360 column on recent noteworthy Federal Circuit decisions, partners Jeremiah Helm and Sean Murray examine the court’s ruling in Wash World Inc. v. Belanger...
Knobbe Martens Lawyers Recognized in World IP Review Diversity Awards
IRVINE, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that three of the firm’s lawyers have been recognized by World Intellectual Property Review for...
Knobbe Martens Seattle Office Relocation Covered by Law360
In the Law360 article “Knobbe Martens Relocates Seattle Ops To Nearby Bellevue,” Seattle office Managing Partner Carol Pitzel Cruz offered insight into the firm’s decision to move to a new...
The Votes Are In: Highly Descriptive Marks Are Difficult to Protect
HERITAGE ALLIANCE V. AMERICAN POLICY ROUNDTABLE Before Prost, Taranto, and Stark. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: Continuous-use evidence is not necessarily prima facie evidence of acquired...
Hard to Stomach: Things You Say to Prosecute a Patent Can and Will Be Used Against You
AZURITY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. ALKEM LABORATORIES LTD. Before Murphy, Moore, and Chen. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Summary: Arguments and amendments made during...
